The Alliance Marriage Went Wrong

The day when the King of Jerivia will arrive in Qalagon had finally come. Prime Minister Casar Mareyi greeted the Jerivian King in the capital gate and when they heard the news that King Tobias had entered the palace gate, King Regan and Queen Lorey along with Crown Prince Arin get prepared to welcome him in the main palace door.

In no time, King Tobias Aventine appeared with some Jerivian soldiers escorting him and among them were General Trevor Amari of the Jerivian Royal Army and Captain Callan of the Royal Guards.

At the sight of the Jerivian King, King Regan took a few steps forward. "Welcome to Qalagon, King Tobias. Do you have a safe journey?"

"Thank you, King Regan. Thanks to the soldiers you sent to guide us, we reach safe and sound," King Tobias replied.

Though the two kings had a little smile on their faces, they both exude a formal and powerful aura that was more than hard to ignore. They knew each other's faces but it's the first time they ever met in person due to the conflict between their respective kingdoms.

King Tobias instantly shifted his gaze to the young man who was approaching him. He had no idea of the Crown Prince's appearance but it was obvious that this young man was the Crown Prince of Qalagon. Besides, he had a lot of similarities with his father the King.

Crown Prince Arin halted when he was two steps away and bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty. I'm Arin Helev."

"I'm glad that we finally met, Crown Prince," King Tobias said with a nod. His eyes swept around the area as if he was searching for someone. When Arin noticed this, he quickly spoke up.

"Iria hurt her leg during hunting. Though she is getting a lot better now, the doctor advised her not to move around too much," he explained to the Jerivian King.

King Tobias raised a brow when he heard the Crown Prince. "She got hurt?"

"Yes. She truly wishes to come and greet you but she has to stay indoors for faster recovery," Arin replied.

There was a hint of concern in King Tobias face but he tried to be calm. "Alright. I will go and meet her as soon as I have time."

"Shall we go in now?" It was Queen Lorey who chimed in. She nodded once at the Jerivian King when she stood beside her husband. "It's getting late."

King Regan glanced around and noticed that the sun had almost set. Then he shifted his gaze back to King Tobias. "Please come inside. You must be tired from your long journey."

* * *

King Tobias was given the biggest guest chamber in the main palace. After settling down and taking a bath, it was almost time for dinner now. Then the Captain of his guards, Callan walked inside and bowed to greet him.

"Do you find out where Orius is?" the King quickly asked his right-hand man.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. I still haven't located the second Prince," Callan responded to the King. His gaze never left the floor the whole time.

King Tobias let out a sigh and walked towards the window. "Just where is he? He never tells me about him and only updates me on the things that happened here."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will make sure to locate His Highness. Please give me some more time."

"Alright, but be careful. Don't draw any suspicion," the King firmly instructed.

* * *

Iria Alewine was alone in her chamber. Just a while ago, she was informed that King Tobias will come and visit her before dinner.

The Commander glanced at her leg which was already fine. Then she let out a sigh.

Damn that royal doctor!

King Tobias was her King and she truly wanted to greet him the moment he arrived but... the doctor advised the Crown Prince not to let her move around too much while she can already walk around with ease!

It seemed like Arin Helev would be willing to lock her up as long as he thought that it would be good for her! 

Finally, she heard the sound of knocking on her door and she rose from the bed where she was sitting. It was Rion who escort King Tobias inside her chamber. Then Rion bowed and quickly left to give them some privacy.

The moment Iria saw the King, there was a hint of easiness and happiness on her face. He might be her King but he watched her grew up and she was a father figure for her. It's almost two months since they last saw each other and as far as she could remember, they never spend that long without seeing each other. It's the first.

The Commander tried to get down on her knees to greet the King but... King Tobias rushed to her and hold her back. "That's not necessary, Iria. I heard that you hurt your leg. Besides, it's just the two of us here," the King calmly said to her.

"Your Majesty, have you been well?" Iria observed the King and noticed that he had become thinner than the last time she saw him.

Was it because he lost his beloved daughter? Besides, Jerivia was preparing to fight a war against Helsia. The King must be having a hard time.

King Tobias slightly smiled when he heard Iria's question. "I'm fine. You're the one who isn't well."

"I indeed injured my leg but it's already healed," Iria promptly said. "I want to come and greet you but... the royal doctor forbids me."

"It's fine, Iria," the King said in an assuring voice. "It's always better to listen to a doctor. I don't want you to worsen your injury just to greet me. You should take a seat."

Iria nodded and sat on the bed while King Tobias sat beside her. "Is it hard? I know you are not a fan of royal lifestyle."

Iria smiled when she heard the King. "You always knows me the best, Your Majesty. But I'm doing fine. In fact, I will be more free than you thought."

The King chuckled and shook his head. "Just as expected. Who would have the ability to restrain someone as stubborn as you? That's not possible."

Iria simply smiled but her smile slowly faded when she noticed the King's troubled face. "Is something wrong?" she promptly asked.

King Tobias shifted his gaze to Iria and forced a smile. "It's Orius. I don't know where he is and he never tells me where he stayed. I don't even know if I would be able to locate him."

The Commander's worried face was instantly replaced by a confused one. What was the King talking about?! Did he... had no idea of what his second was doing here?!